This year Banbridge Academy’s Year 10 Home Economics pupils participated in a New Product Development assignment in the Summer term with Avondale Foods.

Avondale foods based in Craigavon, Co Armagh, manufacture vegetable accompaniments, side salads, fresh soups, sauces, porridge and noodles for distribution throughout the UK and Ireland. Product development lies at the heart of Avondale Food’s continued success.

The brief to each of the pupils was to create a new and exciting salad. They showed great expertise and imagination in their selection and execution of their chosen salad recipe. Richard Bond, Product Development Officer, along with his team had the difficult task of selecting the top three recipes. And he commented on the creativity and flair all the pupils demonstrated which made his decision all the more challenging.

This was a unique opportunity for the Academy pupils to work alongside a local company and gain a greater awareness of the job prospects a food-based company such as Avondale can offer.

Richard presented prizes to the followings pupils:

1^st –  Caitlyn Colgan & Ruth Douglas – Chicken Kebab with a Prawn Dip

2^nd – Bethany Scott & Anna Sharpe – Beetroot and Haloumi with Mandarin and Pomegranate

3^rd – Ruby Wilson & Oliva Wright – Sweet Potato Sunshine Salad